All the plants we grow in our nursery are from local seed or cuttings. This means the plants have been bred to survive the conditions in this area. They are either a food source or home to local insects, birds and animals. Not only can your garden look good, be low maintenance, but it can also contribute to the well-being of local species.

The Nursery also has copies of the new coloured version of Flora of Melbourne.

The book "Indigenous Plants of the Sandbelt" by Rob Scott, Neil Blake, Jeannie Campbell, Doug Evans and Nicholas Williams is one of the best little books you can get about plants in this region. It is available from CIN for $25.00 plus $5 Postage.

Quoting from the book -The benefits of growing indigenous plantsAside from their ecological benefits, indigenous plants are simply wonderfully diverse and attractive: you'll discover spectacular foliage, profuse flowers, fascinating barks and a full palette of colours. You'll find indigenous plants perfect for your border, hedge, trellis, fence, rockery, water feature, lawn or favourite container. There are even some that are edible.

Using local native plants is likely to increase your garden's appeal to native wildlife. You'll be providing much-needed food and shelter for your local animals. Your garden may even act as a stepping stone between habitats and therefore contribute to a wildlife movement corridor between more substantial habitats.

The Sandbelt flora is a wonderful outcome of dramatic and amazing evolutionary processes. By gardening with indigenous plants you can keep the history of your local area alive by restoring pre-European landscape character.

By gardening with indigenous plants you could be contributing to the broader conservation of plants and animals in the region. Growing indigenous plants can contribute to the protection of local plant populations by preserving local genetic diversity. Indigenous plants in gardens can provide an important source of seed for the ongoing propagation of our indigenous species.

Local plants have adapted to the local climate and soils over thousands of years, so they are well-suited to Australia's dry conditions and the low nutrient levels in the soils. Around the coast, there are species that can survive and flourish in the salty conditions. Because local native plants are well adapted to your area's conditions a well-designed indigenous garden can require less maintenance, less water and less work.